Midfield Options

Kenny Jackett has added another midfield option to the Wolves squad with the loan signing of Michael Jacobs - and is also hopeful of welcoming Kevin McDonald back to the fold on Saturday.

McDonald has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury but has returned to training ahead of the trip to all-ticket trip to face Notts County.

Jacobs checked in on loan on Monday from Derby, and is also eligible for the game at Meadow Lane, with Jackett believing his arrival should inspire the club’s younger wingers Anthony Forde and Zeli Ismail.

“The difference between Zeli and Anthony and Michael Jacobs is the fact that he has played 150 to 160 games which they haven’t quite played yet.

“He comes in at a different level, as a reasonably experienced player now as opposed to the younger guys finding their way.

“As we’ve seen with Lee Evans, those guys can put in some very good performances but they are their early performances.

“The system that the bigger clubs and the clubs higher up the leagues have got is to try to get their younger players up to 50 games, 75 games, perhaps even before they judge them or make a final decision.”

Jamie O’Hara meanwhile remains in Jackett’s thinking despite missing out on the 18 for Saturday’s FA Cup draw at Oldham.

Jackett has revealed he wanted different positional options on the bench having started the game with three central midfielders of which Dave Edwards was pushing forward in support of Jake Cassidy.

“Yes Jamie has been in my plans for the last couple of weeks,” said Jackett.

“I’ve looked at all the options and the combinations in an area where there has been several changes in midfield in terms of partnerships.

“I played with Dave Edwards as a support forward (at Oldham) so I felt I needed other options on the bench because I had three other midfield players already on the pitch.

“I felt somewhere down the line we might need Elokobi or Ebanks-Landell to come on because conceding from a set piece we have to make sure as winter comes now that we are big enough at set pieces and big enough physically as well.

“So I needed those options for the back four and I did want forward options for later in the game when we might flood the pitch with forwards .

“Starting with three midfield players that just affected my selection on the bench and Jamie hasn’t done anything to detract.

“He is working away and will be selected as and when I see fit and I think it is good for the team.”

*O’Hara, Kevin Foley and George Elokobi all played 90 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly with Derby County at the Compton training ground yesterday, with Lee Evans also figuring for 70 minutes. The game finished 2-2 with Eusebio Bancessi getting both Wolves’ goals.